- Epithalamus
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Brain: Epithalamus Mesal aspect of a brain sectioned in the median sagittal plane. Epithalamus labeled in red, by 'habenular commissure', 'pineal body', and 'posterior commissure', with its projection anteriorly consisting stria medullaris Latin epithalamus Gray's subject #189 812 NeuroNames hier-275 MeSH Epithalamus NeuroLex ID birnlex_1710 The epithalamus is a dorsal posterior segment of the diencephalon (a segment in the middle of the brain also containing the hypothalamus and the thalamus) which includes the habenula, the stria medullaris and the pineal body. Its function is the connection between the limbic system to other parts of the brain.
Functions
Some functions of its components include the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland (involved in circadian rhythms), and regulation of motor pathways and emotions. It is wired with the limbic system and basal ganglia.
Components
The epithalamus comprises the trigonum habenulæ, the pineal body, and the posterior commissure.
External links
- Overview at University of Idaho
- http://isc.temple.edu/neuroanatomy/lab/atlas/pdhn/
- NIF Search - Epithalamus via the Neuroscience Information Framework
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